If conditions are good, she hopes to finish in four and a half hours. If the weather is really warm, she hopes to just ... finish. It's Heather Capes's first marathon, and she's running the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 16, along with 11 other runners from Northborough. Inspired by her twin sister, who has run more than ten marathons, Capes is participating in support of Dana Farber. "I am especially inspired thinking about running the marathon for such a great cause," said Capes." It is overwhelming how many people have been impacted by cancer and it is nice to do something, however small…

She couldn't get this sign out of her head: "Someday, you will not be able to do this. Today is not that day." It was a sign posted at the start of the Chicago Marathon, which Meredith Kent has run for the past two years. Even though the sign's saying was burnt into her brain, originally she didn't intend to run another marathon. The training, which requires a lot of time and commitment, was pushing Kent to the "retired runner" mode, at least to marathon extent. But Kent, who moved to Northborough in 2007, was further inspired by the organization Cradles to Crayons, which she volunteers for …

While the boys basketball season ended with a loss to Acton earlier this week, the Lady Tomahawks have a shot at qualifying for the state basketball tournament if they win on Friday. The girls team, which beat Franklin to earn a spot in the finals, will have to outscore an undefeated team to advance; they take on Holy Name at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23. Currently, the lady Tomahawks are 12-8 and Holy Name is 20-0. "The high school state tournament starts next week," said Ron Jones, who is in his 19th year coaching the team. "We have qualified but don't know when or who we will be playing yet…

As the Youth Program Coach at Teamworks, Nichole Hallett coaches more than 100 kids in different sports each week. Some of them stand out, and one, in particular, she feels should be "athlete of the week." Jackson LaCava, who just turned three, is the youngest athlete is Hallett's class, but is a "great listener, very coordinated and always has a smile on his face." LaCava attends Miss Tanya's Preschool in Westborough. Favorite Color: Red Enjoys: Playing chase, having a big bowl of mac and cheese after sports class Favorite Career Athletic Moment: Playing hockey with his dad Big Stats: Scored…

Algonquin is welcoming two new young coaches this year to its wrestling team. A relatively young program compared to some, the wrestling team at the high school starts its season at the beginning of December. Northborough Patch talks with Brian Kramer, ARHS varsity wrestling head coach. Kramer was on the Hopkinton High team for four years, going 37-7 as senior captain in 2007. He also placed second in the Division 3 State Finals in 2007, and second in the All-State Tournament that same year. Kramer attended State University of New York College at Oneonta for four years, where he was a varsity…

A junior at Algonquin Regional High School, Danielle Hayes is presently on the field hockey team, but switches over to rugby — which started during her freshman year – in the spring. Her coach, Dan Welty, said "The team has been on a 8-game unbeaten streak since she has started at rightback. She had two key defensive plays on against Marlborough to prevent goal scoring opportunities."Favorite Career Athletic Moment: Making the team this fall was definitely a big moment. I've been playing for a few years and when I made varsity this year, I was really excited and anxious to start playing with …

During halftime of the game on Saturday, Oct. 8, of Algonquin versus Hudson, the 2011 Algonquin Boys Varsity Lacrosse team stepped up to receive their plaques for last season's Central Massachusetts Championship. The boys finished up with a 20-5 record for the season, and defeated St. John's in the Central Massachusetts District Final, making the team the first Central Massachusetts public school to advance to the Division 2 State Finals. The boys in this program gave new meaning to the phrase 'cardiac kids,' winning two overtime games (11-10 vs. Grafton in the district semi-final and 10-9 vs…

Leaving a legacy behind is all the motivation senior David McGovern needs to finish the season strong. “My biggest goal is to carry on a tradition of success,” says McGovern. “The banners that stick out to a soccer player the most in our gym are the back-to-back state championships.” A lifelong passion for soccer has driven this Tomahawk to perform at his best, because chances are his playing days at Algonquin may never be replaced.   Northborough Patch talked to McGovern, who had just finished practice with the Tomahawks for his thoughts on the season and who he draws inspiration from.  …

Over the years, Emily Brown has dabbled with many forms of competition, but soccer has been her greatest inspiration. "I loved watching the national team and knew I wanted to be like them," Brown said. For the country's next generation of female soccer stars, Brown believes it's paramount to put your team in a position to succeed. Northborough Patch finds out how Brown is helping others on the Tomahawks reach their goals this season.  Northborough Patch: You’re one of the top defensive midfielders for Algonquin. What other ways do you look to contribute to the team? Emily Brown: I think one …

Ever since junior Mike Halloran landed the quarterback role for the Tomahawks, his teammates have seen him as a leader. He makes his presence known by demonstrating pure footwork and quickness in the pocket. And like any athlete his age, Halloran just wants to keep getting better. "When it comes to football," he said, "you have to learn how to keep your composure."  Northborough Patch learns exactly what's on the young quarterback's mind as he dishes on the keys to a successful season, his biggest influences, and how he spends his time off of the field.   Northborough Patch: We mentioned in …

Back-to-school time has arrived and one of the best ways Northborough Patch gets ready for the fall season is by staying on top of the sports scene. It would be nice to believe that every team at Algonquin can win districts this year, but that’s just not realistic. What makes the concept of sport so satisfying after all is that it gives athletes chances to make little leaps of progress. That being said, here’s what Northborough fans can look forward to this season. Football Coach: Bill Long 2010 Record: 1-10 Key Contributors: Mike Halloran, Tim Hanlon, Steven Roy, Mike Babine, Kyle Decarro …

Two thousand seventy miles miles across the nation Nick Krause is at the U.S. ski training base in Park City, Utah, gliding down steep and hard-packed snow hills in an attempt to be one of the 32 ski racers, out of thousands, to compete for the U.S. Olympic Ski Team.  The 18-year-old rising star from Northborough remembers the beginning of a commitment to skiing that has served him well throughout his life — not to mention those who made it all possible.   “Since I can remember, skiing has always been my favorite sport and that is the reason I’ve been able to stay committed to it my whole …

Colin Davidson, a Special Olympics Massachusetts athlete, returned home to Northborough on July 6 after attending the 2011 World Summer Games in Athens, Greece. Davidson and five additional SOMA team members were welcomed at Logan Airport by proud family and friends after competing on a world stage with 7,500 elite athletes from 185 different nations. Davidson competed in track and field and won a silver medal in the 800 meter run and a gold medal in the 4X400 relay. He also took fourth in the 1500 meter run with a person best time of 5:39, over a minute faster than his previous best. He was …

It's not often that a teenage athlete survives the cutthroat competition of sports leagues. At 5 feet 3 inches tall, Northborough resident Brett Sherman is one of the smaller guys in the Northborough Baseball and Softball Association, but possesses something other players his age can't size up to: resolve. Time and again, Sherman has been linked by his ability to stop the opposition from stealing base with good throws. Now a student at Robert E. Melican Middle School, Sherman is thankful for where the road has taken him - and who has been there along the way. "My parents motivate me as an …

Connor Clowes, who comes from a sports-oriented family in Northborough, first started playing baseball at four-years-old, when he joined the tee-ball team and had a peculiar habit of falling in love with his swing. Fourteen years later, the second baseman was presented with the 2011 Baseball Senior Award and Jack Flynn Scholarship by the Northborough Baseball and Softball Association. What Clowes appreciates most about the NBSA is its community-centered environment and cohesiveness, which he says is a significant contrast to what he's used to in high school. "I am able to work with others …

It would be hard to count the number of ways Eddie Falkowski, 17, can outshine you on a soccer field. Now a varsity soccer player for St. John's High School in Shrewsbury, the Northborough native has maintained his zealous routine since his early playing days in the Northborough Youth Soccer Association (NYSA). Not only has the NYSA made the biggest impact on his young athletic career, but the life lessons of teamwork and determination have also been nothing short of success. When his last season finally comes to an end, the defenseman can boast that hard work truly does pay off. "…

Northborough resident and lacrosse midfielder, Mike Leone, has earned a worthy reputation by helping his teammates on the field, mostly through a discerning glance and without destroying their confidence. One of his favorite quotes comes from Herb Brooks in the American sports film, Miracle, who said, “the name on the front of the jersey is a heck of a lot more important than the one on the back.” This phrase has become a lifestyle philosophy to Leone and that’s why he knows that it’s important for certain players to set an example for the younger guys. “Ever since joining the Tomahawks, I’ve…

Algonquin senior Stephanie Hom resolved from her earliest playing days never to let anything get in the way of achieving her goals on the tennis court. That’s why her tireless work ethic has led to an unprecedented number of tournament wins at Algonquin - namely, the Division 1 State Tennis Finals against Wellesley in 2009. Since then, Hom has risen quickly through the state rankings and struck up a playing style that has been revered by the Northborough community. In her last season with the Tomahawks, Hom is looking forward to ending her high school tennis career on a high note. “In the …

Twenty years ago, Northborough resident Justin Davidson was an intense ski racing competitor. He even attended Mount Snow Academy, where he trained and skied more than 120 days a year with Olympic coaches from the United States Ski Association. "It's there that I learned how to train in a systematic fashion," Davidson said. "Part of that training included a daily running routine. I am used to attacking something that others would consider outrageous or too hard and thus I am giving this my best shot." By "this," he is referring to the Boston Marathon, which he'll run for the first time ever …

Originally from Canada, Kevin Peters moved to Massachusetts in 1998 and has lived in Northborough for the past six years. Peters officially began running marathons in 1999, when he signed up for the NYC Marathon. This year marks his seventh marathon, and his second Boston Marathon. A lifelong runner (at least his adult life), Peters runs 5Ks and 10Ks fairly often, with his favorite being the Northborough Applefest race. Training for the Boston Marathon, though, has been more difficult than he expected. "I have struggled through some running related injuries that have limited how much training…